As Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite unfolded, it left many wrestling fans scratching their heads and feeling a sense of déjà vu. The air was thick with disappointment and a tinge of foreboding, reminiscent of a bygone era in wrestling history. And at the center of it all was AEW’s continued feud with CM Punk, a saga that seems to be veering off course with each passing episode.
After watching this past episode of AEW, my concern for the direction of the company has only deepened. As a wrestling fan, the decision to air the CM Punk security footage felt not only unnecessary but also poorly executed. The timing, eight months after the incident, seemed more like a personal vendetta than a strategic storytelling move. It left a sour taste in my mouth and raised questions about AEW’s leadership.
The parallels between AEW’s current trajectory and the downfall of WCW are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Tony Schiavone, who witnessed WCW’s rapid descent firsthand, couldn’t hide his dismay on Wednesday night. And as someone who grew up watching WCW, the similarities are alarming.
The decision to air the real life altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry felt like a desperate attempt to stir controversy. But instead of adding depth to the storyline, it came across as a petty response to Punk’s recent interview. It was pro wrestling’s equivalent of opening Al Capone’s vault a hollow gesture that did little to enhance the narrative.
But the CM Punk saga wasn’t the only misstep of the night. Will Ospreay’s thinly veiled shot at WWE’s Paul “Triple H” Levesque felt ill timed and out of touch. At a time when WWE was riding high on the success of WrestleMania, AEW’s attempt to capitalize on controversy fell flat.
Even the main event, featuring Dustin Rhodes and Samoa Joe, seemed like a missed opportunity. While Dustin is undoubtedly a talented wrestler, his sporadic appearances raise questions about AEW’s commitment to building new stars. It felt like a nostalgic nod to the past rather than a forward thinking move.
In many ways, AEW was initially heralded as the antidote to WWE’s formulaic product. It promised innovative storytelling, high level wrestling, and a fan driven approach. But as Wednesday night’s episode demonstrated, it’s easy to lose sight of those goals in the pursuit of ratings and controversy.
So where does AEW go from here? The road ahead is uncertain, but the echoes of WCW’s downfall loom large. If AEW hopes to avoid a similar fate, it must course correct and refocus on what made it successful in the first place compelling storytelling, engaging characters, and above all, respect for the intelligence of its audience….yes that includes me…
In the end, the question remains: Is this the beginning of the end for AEW, akin to what we saw with WCW? Only time will tell, but the warning signs are impossible to ignore.
